PUBLIC MEETING ON BLACK SEA BASS & SCUP FEB. 13

For more information contact:
Bruce Freeman at 609-292-7794

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife will host a public meeting regarding the ASMFC's proposed modifications to the Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Scup FMP. The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 13, at the Ocean County Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue in Toms River.

New changes to the black sea bass plan would establish various commercial trip limits and if necessary, adjust weekly or daily trip limits.

For scup (porgy), modifications would establish state specific allocations for the commercial summer period quota (the beginning of May to the end of October) and offer a series of options for public comment. Changes would also provide the states with a set of management options for the 2002 recreational scup fishery. For Garden State anglers, this would include reducing the New Jersey fishery between 47 and 78 percent. Other options include developing a coastwide management measure, separating the coast into regions, and creating a state-specific management program for the recreational fishery. In addition, states may be given the option of developing a separate management program for the charter and party boat sector.

A copy of the proposed changes can be obtained by contacting Vanessa Jones, administrative assistant at (202) 289-6400, or vjones@asmfc.org, or via the Commission's website at www.asmfc.org. Written comments will be accepted until Feb. 13, 2002 for changes to the Black Sea Bass FMP and modifications to the scup commercial fishery. The deadline for written comments regarding the scup recreational fishery is Feb. 18, 2002. Send comments to Michael Lewis, FMP coordinator, 1444 Eye Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-6051 (fax); or mlewis@asmfc.org (e-mail).